New Builds

[linadee26]

Has anyone else ever bought a new build property with none of the "extras"/upgrades etc?
My husband have just bought a Persimmon town house and are getting it at its most basic. We think we'll be fine getting it up to scratch and will be able to do it quite quickly... are we being delusional?

I'm doing the same. I did buy extras such as electrics (sockets and downlights), outside tap, exterior lights etc. These things are messier to put after completion. Otherwise, I'm completing the interiors and kitchens, built in wardrobes etc myself and this will be cheaper, unique and far more advantageous!!

So smart move but make sure you consider plumbing and electrics and worth buying these extras.

Our house is the last one on the development so the build is actually complete.
We will need to buy and plumb in a washing machine and dish washer for the kitchen and I think this might actually be the trickiest thing as you say :S
Have you completed your built in wardrobes? Although our house is a great size for a new build, it's the only thing I feel is a bit on the small side. Will need to get someone in who is really able to advise us on making the most of the space that is there!

We've got a persimmon new-build at basic spec - although we did get them to throw in carpets.

Plumbing in dishwasher & washing machine was simple.

We stuck a tension rail and curtain up for the built in wardrobe. Put shelving in ourself too. They wanted £250 just for doors

Ours is now 3 years old, it was about the 3rd to be completed on site. It's been great, actually!

Oh, we fitted the outside light ourself too - all the wiring is there, we just bought a light and fitted it. Easy peasy.

No outside tap though.

We didn't pay for turf either and seeded the garden ourselves too (in October, whilst pregnant). And the grass is far better than next door's turf!

I think after the plumbing, the flooring will be the next biggest (and probably most expensive) job!

Parts of it may be a labour of love as the kitchen units are very basic and we'd eventually like to upgrade that as well.

It's good to know that other people have done this though as most of the people on our development seem to have taken so much from Persimmon.

On a different note 13, how have you found Persimmon's after purchase customer service for snagging? Are they quite easy to deal with? Are repairs etc quite prompt?

I brought my 3rd new build last year which was a Redrow home and got every extra going as found it easier. I got things like downlighter, silver switches ceramic floor tiles to match the bathroom walls, fireplace, posh wardrobe doors, posh carpet, washer and matching dryer, granite, upgraded kitchen etc. Lots of things are a lot easier to have done as its being built. We even had the patio extended and the garden landscaped. Getting Redrow to do it means it matches in perfectly with the slabs in the side alley, also if there are any problems they will come out and fix things. My DH was very keen to get the whole lot done at once but I can see the appeal of picking everything you want from a wide range of goods. Also Redrow wouldn't take money of the price of the house as we part exchanged but would negotiate 'extras'. I like the sound of Persimmon. Good luck with your house.

I don't think Persimmon ever actually did snagging. I have a vague recollection of sending a form in, but nothing ever happened, and we didn't bother chasing. (We very quickly had a small baby then both back to work FT within a year of moving in, so too busy to bother about the small things.)

There's only really the cracks in the plaster where it's dried, which we're capable of doing ourselves. There wasn't anything major at all. Or it could be that it being our first house after years of grotty rentals, our standards are so low we just haven't really twigged!

You'd definitely have to keep on top of that one.

Oh, because ours was one of the first to be finished & occupied, we did do a lot of moaning at the site manager as and when we spotted things, who would send a bloke round to fix it fairly swiftly.

Our previous house was sort of a new build from Persimmon (actually a new conversion of an old building so they hadn't built the exterior) and we had it without flooring or anything from them.
We had lots and lots of snagging issues that came up over the course of the first 2 years, and to be fair, they were always very prompt at coming out and sorting them out. Some of the issues were very frustrating though, as if they'd just done it properly in the first place, they'd have saved a lot of hassle!
I'd recommend getting the garden turfed yourself ,I think builders always do a crap job and don't bother to make sure the turf has a good layer of earth underneath to root into.